2009 World Green Car of the Year Finalists Announced

All Electric Mini E

Winner to be selected at the New York Auto Show

By Michael Gauthier
December 11, 2008 4:34 PM
Filed Under: Awards, Diesel, Electric Vehicle, Green, Hybrid

The world green car of the year finalists have been announced ahead of the final selection of this year's winner at the New York Auto Show in April. The diverse field of finalists includes a truly global showing with entries such as the Citroën C1, Tesla Roadster, and the Chevrolet Tahoe / GMC Yukon full-size SUV hybrids.

Volvo claimed the most entries with a total of five thanks to the recent debut of the C30/S40/V50 1.6D DRIVe models and the introduction of the S80/V70 sedan and wagon which use the 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbocharged Flexifuel engine. Daimler's Mercedes-Benz ML/GL/R 320 BlueTEC SUV's and the smart ed electric-vehicle also got the nod. Rounding out the other Europeans on the list are Fiat's Palio Weekend Electric and Siena Tetrafuel, the BMW 335d BluePerformance, the Mini Cooper D and Mini E, the Citroën C1 and the Audi Q7 3.0 TDI.

Japan had a strong showing thanks to contenders such as the Honda FCX Clarity, Mazda RX8 Hydrogen Rotary, Toyota iQ, Mitsubishi iMiEV, the Nissan X-Trail 20 GT and Subaru's Legacy and Outback models that are rated as Partial Zero Emissions Vehicles (PZEV). US automakers only recieved two nominations, one for GM's Tahoe and Yukon hybrids and another for the Tesla Roadster.

Source: wcoty.com

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Comments

IpsesNipse

December 11, 2008 5:27 PM

Just wondering how they can even suggest cars like bmw 335d, m-b ml and audi q7 all nice cars but definatly not green

unknown

December 12, 2008 4:08 AM

uhhh because these cars give out less carbon than thier petrol counterparts?

eddie

December 11, 2008 5:32 PM

It is too bad chevy Tahoe hybrid was paired with a gas engine. They had a chance to really turn heads if they used a diesel hybrid plug in. Possible 30mpg which could help the world not the 20mpg thing now. Why is a private company Fisker Karma coming out sooner than the Chevy volt. Yes it is more expensive but it is a small private company. The Karma is beautiful.

Bristol411S3

December 11, 2008 6:58 PM

You;d be amazed how fuel efficient and relatively clean the BMWs are for the power they offer.

It's actually a pretty good list. What can we make of the US having two entrants, only one from the Big Three? No wonder they're on the skids. Any company misreading the demands of the market so badly deserves all they get (excluding the bail out!).